Blood Run On Verge Of Becoming SD State Park

Efforts to preserve picturesque and historically significant acreage along the Big Sioux River are kicking into high gear in 2013.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard told lawmakers last week that he's introducing a bill to designate the 600-acre Blood Run nature area southeast of Sioux Falls as South Dakota's 13th state park.

Officials plan to build a visitors' center and make other improvements to the site using $2 million in state funds, $2 million in matching private donations and $1 million from the state Game, Fish and Parks Department.

The site borders Iowa and was used by thousands of Oneota Indians into the early 1700s.

Blood Run opened for self-guided hikes and appointment-only tours this past summer, and Parks and Recreation Director Doug Hofer says the response has been overwhelming.